Front driveshaft ???

[BDaugherty]

OK, I have greased several 3rd gen front driveshafts but... . for the life of me I can't find the fitting on the front driveshaft of my 2003 2500. Were some of these made without grease fittings, or am I blind? If there is no fitting, can I just use one of those grease needles to shoot some under the seal around the CV ball?

 

[TimothyLong]

You're not blind. Mine didn't have grease fittings either. I had all of my u-joints replaced with Precision greaseables. The new ball socket in the double cardan (CV) joint, however, is not. If you can get some grease under the seal it might help some, but I would think that's only a band-aid. If you're starting to have issues with the front driveshaft, you should consider replacing all the u-joints with greaseable ones. Though I'm not sure if you can get a greaseable ball socket for the double cardan or not.

 

[rscurtis]

If you're going to keep the truck, install a free spin kit on it and don't worry about the DS any more. You'll also pick up some fuel economy.

 

[steved]

The grease point on the front driveshaft was a 05+ thing... my 04. 5 doesn't have it.



The real puzzling part for me is that it must not be an "upgrade" for a worn shaft either... the replacement DCX shaft I purchased just before my warranty expired didn't have one either, even though it was bought well AFTER they started using the new style shaft with the grease point!!

 

[BDaugherty]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not currently having any front shaft issues, but the truck in new to me at 248K and I've been going over all the standard maintenance. I have thought about the free spin kit... but it had brand new ball joints and wheel bearings when I bought it so the money will go elsewhere for now. A dual disc clutch, front receiver hitch, heater treater, and new dash are at the top of the list. That's good info on the '05 and up thing. My buddy just bought a '04. 5 automatic 4x4.

 

[seafish]

OK, I have greased several 3rd gen front driveshafts but... . for the life of me I can't find the fitting on the front driveshaft of my 2003 2500. Were some of these made without grease fittings, or am I blind? If there is no fitting, can I just use one of those grease needles to shoot some under the seal around the CV ball?

DC made some 3rd gen front driveshafts WITH the grease fitting and some WITHOUT the grease fitting, utilizing "lifetime" lubricated cardan joints instead of the greasable kind. Some trucks, like my 2005, even had the underhood sticker warning you to be sure to grease the cardan joint, yet the truck was assembled with a front driveshaft that did NOT have the greasable joint.



Long story short, as long as you are able to CAREFULLY inspect your cardan joint to llok for the fitting, you will know if you have one or not.

There is a thread here on TDR that has a GREAT pic of the grease fitting on the front driveshaft, if you are unclear what to look for... they CAN be difficult to find as they are only a small depression that can easily go unnoticed if even a little dirty.

 

[Gibbs]

Interesting... I looked very carefully for this mystery fitting on my friend's '06 2500 6-spd and couldn't find it. I had my eye right up next to where the ball stud is, slowly spinning it around and had no luck. I guess I can try looking again, but I swear its not there.